i'm looking at sharing a house with complete strangers. how do i protect myself, any hints and do and donts

Question

i'm looking at sharing a house with complete strangers. how do i protect myself.
i dont want to be riped off. paying more then i should, having items stolen etc.
should i try and share a house with women (i'm a male), mixed?
advice and things to look for when before sharing a house i.e. plus exp (dose that mean a extra $$$ per week for items i'm not using.any help will be great or any experiences you have had. thankyou

Answer 1

It looks like to me you are trying to look for a soap opra or sitcom situation ,,,,, The thing you can't get a way from though is Murphys Law ,,,,, which states that anything that can happen will happen ,,,,,, You need to have your own lock or padlock on your door that no one else has a key too ,,,, and make sure the door is solid ,,,, in good condition and locks securely ,,,,, If there is a problem with that then you need to talk to the land lord about it before you commit to renting the room ,,,,,If there is a window or windows in the room then you should make sure they can be securely locked or fastened so that they can't be gotten into from the out side ,,,,,If there is a problem with this then again you need to talk to the land lord wheather its a ground or a second story room ,,,,,, Check the ceiling and outside walls for signs of leaking from the roof above ,,,,, If you aren't accustom to living in a place like that with multiple renters then you need to train yourself to remember not to leave any belongings in the commumal areas of the house ,,,,, You didn't mention wheather you will have your own private bath or not ,,, but being that you wouldn't then you need cleaning materials to clean the bathroom fixtures and stool and shower facilities ,,,,, Never shower after some one with out first cleaning up before you use it or the stool ,,,,,And when you are in the bath room for any extended period of time like for bathing or what ever ,,,,,, you need to remember to lock the door to your room first ,,,,,The best place to keep the key to your room is on a chain around your nect ,,, it's handy and out of the way ,,, As for valuables ,,,,, You can purchase a lock box type affair but better than that would be a small combination safe to keep your valuables in when they aren't in use ,,,,, A small safe like that is big enough to hold your vaulables but heavy for one person to move around unless they have a dolly ,,,,That kind of safe is usually fire proof too ,,,,,,,, As for your vehicle ,,,,, you'll need to keep it locked at all times ,,,,,, and preferably parked in an out of the way place on the property if possible ,,,,,If your vehicle isn't already equipped ,,,,, then you need to get a locking gas cap ,,,,, You'll need to look into renters insurance and always keep a detailed list of all your belongings ,,,,,Who knows ,,,,,(Murphy's Law),,,, anyone could set the place on fire so you need to guard against the loss of belongings ,,,,,, Beware of letting anyone in your room even when you are there because visitors can have prying eyes ,,,,, It would be a good idea to buy a small fire extinguisher and keep it in a handy place for emergencies ,,,,, Small mini vacumes can be purchased to keep your floor clean ,,,,,A small 110 volt window air conditioner should be considered even if the place does have a central climate control ,,,,desired tempratures can vary between other renters ,,,,, And while you are at it a one room space heater would be a good idea too,,,,,, this way you can control the room temprature in your room to your liking and seprate from the others ,,,Remember if you do install that air conditioner then make sure you install it correctly and securely to maintain security of the room ,,,,, When you look at the room you might keep in mind any furniture you want to put in it ,,,,,,, A bed of course but also maybe an easy chair too and a table with a chair for a micro wave ,,,,,, You might think about buying a small refrigerator too ,,,, They sell all kinds and sizes so get one that would fit in your room comfortably ,,,,,,Appliances like a micro wave and small refrigerator would make it easier for you to avoid using the communal kitchen,,,,and it's hard to keep food in a refrigerator that every one has access to ,,,,They have nice refrigerators that stand something like 4 feet high and like 3 feet wide and about 3 foot deep ,,,, That kind comes with a small freezer in it and it fits just about anywhere and is extra space to sit things on too ,,,, You'll need like a plastic 30 gallon garbage container ,,,, Television ,,,, You might ask the land lord if it is permissible to have cable and a phone line installed in the room too,,,,As for whom you share the place with ,,,,, I would think it would depend on the room ,,,, wheather you like the house in general and if it's location suits you ,,,,,you will be sharing the house with other renters not your room ,,,,,,,,, That's just about all I can think of really ,,,,, Good luck ,,,,, Have fun ,,,,,,, Yoda told you this ,,,

Answer 2

The transition part is the hardest. I remember when I still had breasts for Gods sake and a beard at the same time. As you slowly make the full change the people will stop staring as your breasts withers, your beard comes in and they become more comfortable around Karson instead of old 'you know who'. Sure they will still talk, (they still talk at my work) but the stares and giggles will slow then stop.

Answer 3

Why don't you look for someone Else you know, to share the room with? If there is no one, then at least stay with a classmate or schoolmate. That way you could trace her/him anytime something happens..and keep important things under lock and key, not until you know they are trustworthy..

Answer 4

i know your fears the only way i can afford to work in the profession i chose is by taking a job with a live in position but the fear of not knowing the people I'd be living with is out waying the positives at the moment.. Good luck hope it works out for you lifes all about taking risks some work some don't

Answer 5

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!